NFL Quick Shots: Packers coach Mike McCarthy errs at end

Monday

Oct 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 29, 2012 at 9:33 PM

Green Bay has the best QB in football and maybe the worst running game, yet Mike McCarthy called two runs up the middle, then a deep pass trying to run out the clock from near midfield Sunday with just under 3 minutes left.

Matt Trowbridge

Green Bay has the best QB in football and maybe the worst running game, yet Mike McCarthy called two runs up the middle, then a deep pass trying to run out the clock from near midfield Sunday with just under 3 minutes left. He got bailed out by a pass interference call, then called a risky, sideways pass on third down when a run would have left Jacksonville less than 30 seconds left. One of the big reasons Aaron Rodgers is so bad in fourth-quarter comeback attempts (4-21) is, McCarthy doesn’t know how to run out the clock.

No correlation
If running helps you pass, how come Jay Cutler was sacked six times in the first half, when Matt Forte had 61 yards on eight carries, and zero sacks in the second half, when Forte had nine yards on seven rushes?

Cam should run
Panther running backs averaged 2.6 yards on 31 rushes while Cam Newton ran only five times. The Panthers want Newton to run less when he should be running more. Last year’s rookie sensation isn’t accurate enough to be a top quarterback unless he’s a huge running threat. He’s currently the NFL’s No. 28-rated passer.

Pats on the run
The Patriots are only 5-3 but are No. 1 in point differential at plus-92 points and rank fifth in passing and rushing. The Patriots have run 26 more times than any team in the NFL. Tom Brady converts the third downs that enable New England to run so much.

Beating the best
The Packers are the only team to beat a one-loss team, and they’ve done it twice (the 6-1 Bears and Texans). The Bears’ only victory against a winning team? The Colts.